One choice price doesnt matter..Particular or C4D?
- Thread starter triplej96
- Start date
oneinfiniteloop
Veteran
If you're willing to learn 3D then C4D. Particular is cheap, comparably, so you can always buy it later on.
Matt Grunau
Adobe Demigod
What he said.
You are not just talking apples and oranges here, you are talking apples and gasoline.
Learning a 3D program solely for the use of its particle system is fine, but there always more viable alternatives.
Particles in 3D is not a hard task, it is a daunting, and frustrating one to say the least. Unless you need particles in true 3D space (and mayhaps you do), you do not need a 3D program. The rendering alone may prove more a pain in the ass then you want to go into.
However, what you learn from something like Particular or Illusion will directly translate into particle from a dedicated 3D app.
If you are looking for short term results, don't go the route of 3D software, because you will get less results and more frustration that you could believe.
If, however, you are willing to invest the time, effort, and learning of a 3D app, then by all means, do so. There is a HELL of a lot more involved in 3D than even the most complicated After Effects plugin. But, once you learn the basics of 3D, it is a great thing to add to your reel or resume'.
I've done them both, and I can tell you from experience.
I use Particle Illusion all the time. It's great for what it does, but compared to Lightwave (my 3D app of unhappy choice), there is no comparison. The versatility, controllability, dynamics, and presentation from a 3D app can not be matched by an After Effects plugin. The render times are horrible through a 3D app, but that comes with the territory.
triplej96
Veteran
I hear ya matt thanks for the replay as well. I've been using lightwave a little at work teaching myself 3d is daunting but i think I want to invest the time. Not to mention I was having alot of fun with it. Although it would be nice to have some cool particle effects short term.
Matt Grunau
Adobe Demigod
Then keep on learning, and in the short term, consider Particular or Illusion, or something like that to get you started. Neither of them can touch true 3D particles, but you will get a "leg up" on you learning curve.
Try trapcode's site. I don't use Particular, never really have apart from just playing with it.
Oneinfiniteloop and kai are much more versed in that kind of after effects work than I am, so you may want to ask them. Or, if you want links, try the sticky at the top of the forum page, or try a search, and if those don't pan out, post a question.
triplej96
Veteran
Do you use Particle Illusion matt how is that?
Matt Grunau
Adobe Demigod
I use it for more things than I had possibly thought when I first bought it. Sure, it has some cool and versitle eye candy to bring to the party, but it can be used for oh so much more.
It's a great piece of software. It's still only 2D, but the amount of libraries, emitters, and tweak-ability of it make it a very potent part of any visual effects arsenal.
Download a demo and check it out. It's a hell of a program.
And it doesn't just have to be a "lay on" effect. you can use your renders for displacement maps, compound blurs, all kinds of things.
It's not 3D, but is fast, it is easy to learn, and it can crank out something needed faster than any other software I have used.
People underestimate it, and it to their loss.
Check it out.